Southern Lechwe

Kobus leche


Description The coat is rather long and
rough.They are golden brown with a white
underbelly and black legs. Males are darker in
colour. The long spiral structured horns are
vaguely lyre-shaped, they are found only in
males. The hind legs are somewhat longer in
proportion than in other antelopes, to ease
long-distance running in marshy soil.

Size Lechwe stand 90 to 100 centimetres at
the shoulder.

Habitat  Terrestrial. Marshy terrain near rivers
and lakes. Lechwe are found in marshy areas
where they eat aquatic plants. They use the
knee-deep water as protection from predators.
Their legs are covered with water repelling
substance allowing them to run quite fast in the
knee-deep water.

Behavior Lechwe are diurnal. They gather in
herds which can include many thousands of
individuals. Herds are usually all of one sex but
during mating season they mix. It spends much
of the day in shallow water. If disturbed it runs
at great speed, with impressive leaps, and
takes refuge in water since it is a good
swimmer.

Reproduction The gestation period lasts for 7
to 8 months, after which the female gives birth
to a single young.
Lechwe
Food  Grasses and marsh
and aquatic plants
120 kg
70 kg
Enemies preyed on by
cheetahs, lions, leopards,
wild dogs, and large birds.
Track: 70mm (2 3/4") x 51mm
(2")